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Idaho health officials seek federal authority and transfer exemptions as behavioral health contract delays and budget gaps persist
Summary
The Department of Health and Welfare told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it needs access to federal grants and an exemption to state transfer limits after delays and legal challenges slowed the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan rollout and left gaps in community mental health services.
Alex Williamson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 25, 2025, that the Department of Health and Welfare is requesting one-time federal authority and ongoing federal funding tied to the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan.
The request includes a $6,700,000 one-time federal supplemental to access grant funds that were awarded around the plan’s July 2024 go-live but could not be used under the appropriation year in which the grants were issued. The department also requested a $261,400 ongoing federal operating enhancement to support grants administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The department asked the committee for a transfer-exemption from the program-transfer limits in Idaho Code 67-35-11 for fiscal year 2025 so…
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